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The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2018

Gone are the days of unrecognizable black canvas bags with wobbly wheels and tears in the corners! For even the most infrequent of travelers, carry-on luggage is not something that should be skimped or compromised on.

Top luggage brands have recently rolled out some of the best looking and most practical small suitcases we’ve seen so far. Business travelers and outdoor adventure-seekers alike can find maximum value, space, durability and security in our collection of the top carry-on suitcases of the year.

The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2018

IT Luggage World’s Lightest 21.5 inch Carry On

Budget travelers rejoice! This carry-on is light in weight — and on your wallet. At less than $65 and weighing in at 3.6 pounds, this wide-handle suitcase from IT Luggage’s “Worlds Lightest” collection is perfect for those looking for a simple bag durable enough for the wear-and-tear that plane travel entails.

For the price, you’ll give up a few conveniences like expansion and spinner wheels; however, the low cost and (essentially) weightlessness of this bag makes it big winner among people looking to “travel light.”

Tumi Alpha 2 Double Expansion Travel Satchel

This expansive duffel from Tumi is perfect for the fashionable conscious man (or woman), with the clean, cultivated look of a designer bag. A key leash and media pocket (for cell phones, passports, etc.) provides easy access to the essentials, while the deep middle compartment has plenty of room for everything else. The soft, lightweight material is complimented by supportive bottom pegs, although it’s very dirt and stain resistant. If you’re seeking a good balance of classy and casual in a bag, this is it!

Biaggi Contempo Spinner Collapsible

Any travel product with the word “collapsible” in the name immediately draws in any seasoned traveler, so it’s not hard to see why Shark Tank investors bought into this one! This foldable Biaggi carry-on collapses to half its size for easy stowing away, and has enforced corners to ensure the bag doesn’t get damaged in the process. However, the real draw is its size.

With a little research, we’ve found the smallest combined dimensions of all international airline carry-on restrictions to be 21 x 13 x 9 — and this bag is one of very few to fit within them! You can be sure that no matter where you fly or what airline you take, this carry-on will meet all requirements.

Travelpro Platinum Magna 2

I have to admit, this post would not be complete without mentioning a Travelpro suitcase. This tried-and-true brand has been used by airline employees for years, namely for its simplicity and durability.

Travelpro’s latest carry-on — the Platinum Magna 2 — can withstand plenty of wear and tear over the years and is practical in every way. A “comfort” handle and and MagnaTrac wheels that self-align, in addition to convenient built-in zipper pockets, are added bonuses on an otherwise no-frills suitcase that will last a lifetime.

Raden A22

The biggest airport hassles — from drained phone batteries to overweight carry-ons — can all be solved with this single, sleek, smart-suitcase.

Deemed “the iPhone of suitcases,” the innovative Raden A22 not only looks sleek and sophisticated but has built-in technology to serve as a charging port for all of your electronic devices, sense your luggage’s weight, and sync up to its compatible app for Bluetooth tracking. It even goes as far as telling you how bad traffic is between your home and the airport, or how long you can expect to wait in the TSA line!

The only flaw we’ve found was that cosmetic scratches were common, but ultimately that’s a small price to pay for all the conveniences it provides.

Eagle Creek Load Hauler

Dual backpack straps, an adjustable shoulder strap, and padded handles on both the top and front of this bag make Eagle Creek’s latest duffel an ease to carry and a true convenience to take along on your adventures!

High durability and maximum abrasion resistance means you can throw this bag around just about anywhere without worry of tears or damage, but the makers of this bag offer a full lifetime warranty on it just in case.

A safety whistle and lockable zippers ensure extra security while you’re near or far from your bag, and practical outer pouches for toiletries and gear give you all the space you need to carry all your travel belongings with you in-flight. With compression straps, expandable zippers, and a little smart packing (remember to roll your clothes instead of folding or cramming), minimalist packers won’t even need to check a suitcase!

Delsey Helium Aero

While we typically stand by the saying that “you get what you pay for,” this 100% polycarbonate hardshell suitcase runs for about $100 USD and packs a lot of features in a “small” suitcase. Delsey’s Helium Aero is comparable to Samsonite in strength and style, but has additional organization pockets and an easy-access padded laptop compartment in the front. Owners of this carry-on can all seem to agree that the overall quality and price of this one is a win!

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Christy Woodrow is a travel photographer and professional blogger based in San Diego. She has been traveling around the world with her partner in crime, Scott, since 2006. Join them in their quest to find off-the-beaten-path destinations by signing up for weekly emails and following her on Instagram.

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Meet the Team

Welcome to our adventure travel blog! We are Christy and Scott and we've been traveling the world together since 2006. Our goal is to inspire others to live an adventurous life, as well as provide trip ideas and helpful travel tips for people with limited vacation time.